Why does this design work?
This time around I thought I would do a little photo analysis. What actually makes a space work? If you can look at an image closely and imagine yourself in the space then you can find out what will work for you. Pictures can be used for more than just eye candy-we can use them to help us understand how a space works in function and design. So whether or not you like the images we are going to show you, sit back and have a good look. They all “work” for some reason or another.
INJECTIONS OF COLOUR
Interior Design-Tim Barber-Houzz
In this first image of a girl’s bedroom, you can see that it is visually appealing but why? Well, first of all, the palette is neutral but has pops of colour. To make the neutral envelope of the room more interesting they have clad the walls in horizontal paneling and then painted it out. This adds visual texture and interest without it being overwhelming. If they had left the paneling as wood it would have given the room a heavier look and may not have looked so cohesive. This paneling becomes a detail that is subtle but really does add dimension.
The pink colour in this room is bold which also adds a lot of interest. If the pink had been a pale pink it would have lost the punch that this bright pink is bringing to this room.
The fact that they have used green wallpaper in the closet is a great detail! It adds so much-an unexpected.
SIMPLE & COHESIVE
Interior Design-Talianko Design Group-Houzz
This is a very traditional bedroom. I like the way they have used the accent neutral colour in this room. They have brought the colour of the headboard over to the other side of the room to tie it together. The blinds, headboard, chair cushions, and throw on the end of the bed are all brown based so work together even though they all have different patterns and textures. It is the colour that is making it feel cohesive. The rest of the room is white or off white which makes it feel very calm and inviting. When working with white you do have to make sure you layer textures to make sure it doesn’t feel too sterile. I think this bedroom combines the textures well to make it feel inviting and not cold.
PATTERN AT PLAY
Interior Design-Alys Design-Houzz
This room is such a great example of how pattern and colour can work together. There are many patterns in this room but they work because they are all different scale. If they were all the same scale they would be competing. Note the large yellow pattern on the pillow compared to the tiny scale of the quilting. The envelope of this room is quiet so that all the other colours and patterns can play together without being overshadowed by loud colour or pattern on the floors and walls. This homeowner wanted the bed linens to be the focal point in this cabin bedroom and I think it is very successful. The colours are also working well together because they are the same tone. Most of the colours are quite saturated but the floor rugs have just a hint of colour and that works to tie the colours together.
On a separate note, each bed has its own light. There is not a lot of room for a bedside table so having a wall sconce is just a perfect way to give each person an individual light.
GOOD PLANNING IS ALWAYS THE BEST BET
Interior Design - Lindye Galloway Interiors - Houzz
Finally, here is an image that I think works very well taking todays trends and translating them. Brass is still big. In this kitchen they have used brass hardware, which certainly makes the kitchen feel on trend. If, down the road, brass goes out of style it would quite an easy change to switch out the hardware. I think by adding the butterscotch coloured chairs it adds to the warmth of the kitchen. The open wood shelves also help this white kitchen feel inviting and on trend. Again, the shelves and chairs could quite easily be changed for a new look in a few years. It will take a long time for the rest of the kitchen to look outdated. I think this shows very good planning on the homeowners part.
I hope I have shown you a few examples of why certain rooms just “work”. With a little bit of analysis you too can figure out why a room “works” or doesn’t. Let me know if you have some other examples and send them my way!
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
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